In Memoriam – Andy Andrews (1939-2017)
Longtime Gray Plant Mooty attorney Andy Andrews died Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 at the age of 78.
Born Albert Andrews, Jr. on Dec. 19, 1939 in New York, N.Y., Andy contributed much to the legal profession and to the communities in which he lived.
Andy joined Gray Plant Mooty on Sept. 1, 1985. At the firm, he served as a principal attorney in the practice areas of business law, and trusts and estates. He also was a past chair of the Trust, Estate & Charitable Planning Practice Group. In addition to practicing law, he taught law. He served his law school alma mater, the University of Minnesota, as a longtime business law lecturer and department chair. Andy began teaching business law at the university in 1968-1969—just a few years after he graduated from law school and was admitted to the Minnesota bar (both in 1966). His commitment to teaching also brought him to the Warsaw School of Economics in Poland where he served as a visiting professor of business law.
In addition to practicing law and teaching law, Andy served the community in various ways. He contributed his time and talents to a vast number of organizations in Minnesota, Wyoming, Arizona and elsewhere. In 2016 Andy was recognized with the Russell M. Bennett Service to Community Award at Gray Plant Mooty—an award that honors individuals at the firm whose caring spirit and personal passion for service leads them to serve others in effective ways behind the scenes, or by taking leadership roles, that make a difference in the lives of others.
“Andy exemplified the spirit of the award,” said Ann Burns, a longtime colleague and principal attorney at Gray Plant Mooty. “He was involved for many years in a broad spectrum of community and national service that made a positive difference in the lives of countless people. Throughout his life, he remained involved with many organizations. Andy was the type of person who couldn’t help but become involved in his community and the people and places he was passionate about.”
Here is a list of some of the organizations Andy was involved with during the years:
- Guthrie Theatre Foundation, longest elected serving board member, former president and chair
- Minneapolis Foundation, former board member
- Minnesota Medical Foundation, former board member
- Minnesota Public Radio, former board member
- Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, board member
- Greater Yellowstone Coalition
- American Rivers
- One Percent Club
- University of Minnesota Law School, Board of Visitors
- Arthroscopic Association of North America Education Foundation, current board member
- Draper Museum of Natural History of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center
- Foundation and Development of the Nonprofit Professional Theater, advisor
- Friends of Alta (environmental group), board member
- Governor’s Commission on the Arts, chair of public sector funding
- Hennepin County Young Republican, treasurer
- League of Conservation Voters
- Legal Advice Clinics, original member
- Theater Communications Group, board member
- University College of the University of Minnesota
- University of Minnesota General College Advisory Board
- State of Wyoming Economic Development Council, member
- Co-founder of organization that led to Neighborhood Involvement Program
Andy is survived by his wife, Lynn Andrews, his daughter, Laura Alberton, and his son, Albert “Chip” Andrews III. Arrangements are being made with Desert Rose Heather Cremation and Burial in Tucson, Ariz., with services pending.